Write '07

A 17-year-old student of performing arts has won the Write '07 creative writing competition.

His entry, Grandpa Died, was judged to be the best of 435 entries submitted to Write '07.

It is the first time in the five year history of the creative writing competition that someone under 18 has won the top prize, beating all the adult entries. Even more remarkable is that Kevin wrote his winning poem three years ago when he was just 14.

The audience watches WRITE '07 LIVE

The panel of 10 judges described Grandpa Died as "a moving poem without being sentimental. Kevin has a mature writing style. The small details reveal a sense of loss."

Wicksteed Park's General Manager John Roberts presented Kevin with a cheque for £100 and the BBC Write trophy.

Write '07 is run by bbc.co.uk/northamptonshire and BBC Radio Northampton. It is supported by Wicksteed Park and Northamptonshire County Council Libraries and Information Service.

The other winners

The WRITE '07 LIVE event at Wicksteed Park was hosted by BBC Radio Northampton's drivetime presenter Richard Savage. It was standing room only as people packed into Wicky's Cave to hear entrants read from their creative writing and to see who had won.

Fourteen other awards were also announced. The details are below:

UP TO AND INCLUDING 6-YEAR-OLDS

2nd: The Snow Outside by Emily Summerfield, 6, from Corby
Judges' comments: "Emily's poem has a nice rhythm. The sounds of the words go well together."
Prizes: a certificate; plus a choice of a £15 book token or 2 sheets of 30 Wicksteed Park tickets (kindly donated by Wicksteed Park).

3rd: The Cowboy by Elliot Morrison, 6, from Hartwell
Judges' comments: "A short and sweet story with a lovely last line."
Prizes: a certificate; plus a choice of a £10 book token or 2 sheets of 12 Wicksteed Park tickets (kindly donated by Wicksteed Park).

SEVEN TO 11-YEAR-OLDS

1st: Ayla's Fun Version of the Water Cycle by Ayla Ali, 11, from Northampton
Judges' comments: "Ayla has personalised the subject and made it interesting. Her poem is original and she's made clever use of rhyme."
Prizes: a certificate; plus a choice of a £20 book token or 2 Wicksteed Park wrist bands (kindly donated by Wicksteed Park).

2nd: Erif's Enchanting Adventure by Raahat Kaduji, 11, from Chacombe
Judges' comments: "A well constructed story with plenty of action and good use of humour."
Prizes: a certificate; plus a choice of a £15 book token or 2 sheets of 30 Wicksteed Park tickets (kindly donated by Wicksteed Park).

3rd: Storm by Jessica Sharp, 11, from Hartwell
Judges' comments: "Jessica's poem makes good word pictures and has a cosy ending."
Prizes: a certificate; plus a choice of a £10 book token or 2 sheets of 12 Wicksteed Park tickets (kindly donated by Wicksteed Park).

TWELVE TO 17-YEAR-OLDS

1st: Daisho by Joseph Mallon, 15, from Northampton
Judges' comments: "A clever story with powerful descriptions. It's well-crafted, especially the mirroring of the beginning with the end. Tension is maintained all the way through."
Prizes: a certificate; plus a choice of a £20 book token or 2 Wicksteed Park wrist bands (kindly donated by Wicksteed Park).

2nd: Dear Alien by Thea Killeya, 12, from Northampton
Judges' comments: "A simple but perceptive poem. It's poignant at the end."
Prizes: a certificate; plus a choice of a £15 book token or 2 sheets of 30 Wicksteed Park tickets (kindly donated by Wicksteed Park).

3rd: Remember Us by Thea Killeya, 12, from Northampton
Judges' comments: "A thought-provoking poem; nostalgic without being over sentimental."
Prizes: a certificate; plus a choice of a £10 book token or 2 sheets of 12 Wicksteed Park tickets (kindly donated by Wicksteed Park).

ADULTS

Highly Commended: A Crisp Morning by Geraint Roberts from Northampton
Judges' comments: "A readable story with a good structure and pace. It has some lovely descriptions, which draw you in, and a cryptic ending."
Prize: Certificate

Highly Commended: A Lovely Day to Take Pictures by June Asquith from Wellingborough
Judges' Comments: "A beautiful and poignant word picture. The details bring a still picture to life."
Prize: Certificate

Highly Commended: Needed to be Alone by Paula from Northampton
Judges' comments: "An intimate and poignant story about love and loss."
Prize: Certificate

Highly Commended: The Well by Dabinder Basra from Kettering
Judges' comments: "A dramatic but understated story. It is powerful, disturbing and richly textured."
Prize: Certificate

Highly Commended: Vulpine Breakfast by Francesca Bass from West Haddon
Judges' comments: "This poem is about Nature's savagery; the uncomfortable side of the countryside. Francesca Bass is ambitious in her use of language."
Prize: Certificate

Thank you to everyone who has taken part in Write '07. All 435 entries are published on bbc.co.uk/northamptonshire